Instructor Class Description

Environmental Norms in International Politics

Surveys development of international environmental consciousness from 1960s to present. Models of "green development"; ways in which norms for resource use have entered global politics. Patterns of state compliance with international environmental agreements, and why states fall short of meeting their international obligations. Offered: jointly with ENVIR 360/SCAND 350.

Class description

This course challenges students to think critically about the global environment. How and when did the commons become threatened? Who leads? Which societies have made a paradigm shift, and which are lagging behind? What are the economic opportunities and costs of global warming? Is there an emerging 'climate justice' norm? What are the patterns of global governance and who are the norm entrepreneurs?

Student learning goals

Students will know the role of Scandinavian scientists and policy entrepreneurs in climate change policy

Students can compare and contrast past and present approaches to managing the commons

Alternative degrees of urgency in world politics will be explored

International regimes are compared and contrasted across issue-areas in global environmental politics

The role of markets and greening of capitalism (connections between) are reviewed

General method of instruction

Lecture/discussion

Recommended preparation

Read OUR COMMON FUTURE or enroll in PoE courses

Class assignments and grading

Paper required, as well as two exams

class participation, research paper, and exam

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by M Jane Meyerding
Date: 04/19/2010

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Modified:January 16, 2013